NBA: Rudy Gobert's Public Apology On 'Prank' Created Divisive Fans Argue On Social Media

The entire sports world was in shock after the NBA announced that they will be suspending the ongoing season after a player preliminary tested positive for novel coronavirus.

Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell were identified to be the players to have acquired the virus, with the former’s status were announced as out due to an illness before testing positive to the said virus. A video of him playing around the items of media during a press conference just days before positively acquiring the disease has gone viral.

With his actions, he has been receiving constant backlash among fans who are not happy about how Utah’s All-Star center behaved while talking about a serious matter.

Less than 24 hours after the diagnosis, the 27-year old Gobert issued a public apology on his social media accounts about the behavior that he showed when the viral video was taken. He also opened up about his feelings after learning that he contracted the virus.

“I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern and support over the last 24 hours,” said the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The announcement was made by The Athletic’s Shams Charania that he was the player that the NBA was referring to about a player that was infected by the virus.

“The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered, he said. “At the time, I had no idea I was even infected. I was careless and make no excuse.”

“I have gone through so many emotions since learning of my diagnosis…mostly fear, anxiety, and embarrassment,” said the French national team mainstay as he’s received the most blame for the situation.

He also added that what he did and the result of his actions may serve as a lesson for everybody to take a serious situation seriously. “I will do whatever I can to support using my experience as way to educate others and prevent the spread of this virus,” said the seven-year Jazz big man.

Gobert’s apology drew mixed reactions from the fans – some support him while some are still not over it.